New Cassville YMCA fitness center prepares for open house

Friday, March 9, 2007By Lindsay Reed

The Cassville YMCA will begin accepting membership to its new fitness center, which is located inside the Cassville Gymnastics Center building, on March 12.

"The Cassville Gymnas-tics Center will become a YMCA membership facility," said Gordon Brown, Cassville and Monett YMCA executive director. "With a membership, a family will receive discounts on gymnastics and other YMCA activities.

"The city pool will be available for free to members and youth sport programs will also be available at reduced prices," said Brown. "The memberships are just a manner of packaging items."

When individuals or families join the Cassville YMCA, they will have access to the center's 12 new strength training machines, a variety of cardiovascular equipment and an assortment of free weights.

"We now have a complete fitness area," said Brown. "We have added 12 machines, which each work a specific muscle group. We also have treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes for cardio workouts."

Individuals interested in personal instruction can request an individual fitness routine plan. A Cassville YMCA fitness center staff member will access the individual's current fitness level and then suggest a work out plan for that level.

"We can set up individuals in a fitness program that will focus on general health," said Brown. "We will also help individuals get started on the machines with individual instructions if requested and offer as many follow-up visits as needed to continue the level of work out. We want to help our members get started and get involved in a long term routine."

The Cassville Area YMCA Fitness Center will also offer step, toning and low impact aerobics classes several times each day.

In addition to access to weight and cardio trainingequipment and aerobics classes, YMCA members will be offered free childwatch services during set hours.

While parents are working out kids can play on the playground tower, in the child play room or in the game room located on the second floor of the building. The game room features a pool table, air hockey table and foosball table.

"The playroom is designed for children who are ages six weeks to 6 years," said Brown. "We have selected a variety of age appropriate toys that will give kids a unique opportunity. We will offer kids a variety of things in one location that they might not have access to at home."

Cassville YMCA membership prices will be set at the same level as the prices offered at the Monett facility. Cassville YMCA memberships will be honored at the Cassville, Monett, Springfield and Bolivar facilities.

Monthly membership prices include: family, $39; adult, $26; senior, $18; senior couple $24; and youth, $12. Family memberships include a married couple plus any children living in the household who are under the age of 24. Senior memberships are for individuals over the age of 60, and senior couple memberships are offered to couples with either individual being over 60 years of age.

Although the facility has been updated to include new fitness opportunities, the Cassville gymnastics program will continue to meet inside the facility.

"During the beginning of the summer we will begin replacing the foam block gymnastics floor with a competition spring gymnastics floor," said Brown.

In order to make room for the new fitness equipment, the gymnastics equipment has been moved to the rear of the Cassville YMCA facility. The parent viewing area is still available on the second floor of the facility.

Interested families will be able to rent the Cassville YMCA facility for birthday parties and other special occasions. Facility rental fees include an instructor who will give gymnastics lessons and the use of the playground tower and game room. For an additional charge, parents can also request a jump house or other activities.

Individuals who are currently involved in recreation activities in Cassville will be able to continue participating in those activities at the same level without purchasing a membership to the Cassville YMCA, said Brown.

"We never turn people down based on financial need," said Brown. "We offer scholarships for all memberships and all programs. Plus, all membership and program fees go right back into the Cassville facility and local programs."

The Cassville YMCA fitness center will be staffed by two to four individuals at all times. Barbara Abramovitz will serve as facility manager. Administrators are currently hiring and training front desk clerks, childcare assistants and aerobics instructors.

The facility will be open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Childwatch services are available from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The Cassville YMCA staff will host an open house for the entire community from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 11. Individuals and families who sign up for a YMCA membership between March 12 and April 14 will not be charged a joining fee, which is a $50 savings.

The facility improvements and additional equipment were financed by local donations collected by the Cassville YMCA Founders' Committee through the Cassville YMCA Founders' Campaign.